The suit involves statements Malloy made at a news conference Aug. 11, 2008, a day before Whitnum lost her 4th Congressional District primary race to fellow Democrat Jim Himes.

In the news conference, Malloy, a Democrat supporting Himes in the race, labeled statements by Whitnum as anti-Semitic and anti-Israel.

Whitnum, who is representing herself, filed the suit claiming Malloy falsely claimed her statements were anti-Semitic.

At her hearing in court before Judge Taggart Adams Monday, Whitnum argued against Malloy's motion to strike the suit.

Whitnum, who is representing herself, said Malloy's "simple-minded interpretation" of her writings and statements caused her damage.

After the interview Malloy gave to News 12 during which he labeled her views anti-Semitic, Whitnum said she had to drive to Cablevision headquarters in Norwalk and "pitch a fit" to get the station to pull the interview off the air.

Whitnum has been critical of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the billions in U.S. aid given to Israel annually. She has stated that AIPAC had a strong hand in pushing for the war in Iraq and she would not pledge support to another country to be elected.

Alexander Pencu, who represents Malloy -- who did not attend the morning hearing -- said Malloy will not settle with Whitnum and only wants to get the case thrown out of court.

Pencu said Whitnum has no factual allegations and Malloy was only stating his opinion.

Pencu acknowledged Malloy made the statements about Whitnum, but contends Malloy did not distort the statements Whitnum made about Israel.

"He offered his opinion on them," said Pencu, adding that those opinions were protected under the law.

Pencu said Whitnum and Malloy were public figures at the time and for a slander suit to prevail would have to prove malice. But Whitnum does not allege malice in her suit, he said.

Whitnum said the malice Malloy showed involved shirking his obligation to understand her views.

Malloy gave an interview to the Jewish Ledger in June saying that during her campaign, Whitnum used stereotypes of Jewish power and blamed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack and the war in Iraq on Israel, the Jewish lobby and Jewish media control.

In an amended complaint and in court, Whitnum noted the interview, which Pencu said came about solely as a direct result of Whitnum sending a news release to the Jewish Ledger announcing her slander suit.

After Monday's hearing, Whitnum said Malloy's interpretation of her writings and statements damaged her reputation and credibility with the peace community, the foreign policy community, the publishing world and the intellectual community.

Adams said he would read Whitnum's amended complaint. It was unclear if another hearing will take place before a decision would come from Adams regarding whether the suit will be stricken.

John Nickerson can be reached at john.nickerson@scni.com or 203-964-2320.